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WATERLOO, ON,
Dec. 17, 2012 /CNW/ - Launched during National Volunteer Week in
April 2012, Canadians collectively pledged just over 130,000 hours of volunteer work to causes near and dear to their hearts during Manulife Financial's DRIVE to 125 initiative.

In celebration of its 125
th anniversary, Manulife began the DRIVE to 125 social-cause campaign to help encourage and promote volunteerism by encouraging Canadians to collectively pledge 125,000 volunteer hours. "At Manulife we believe that every volunteer, every volunteer act and every hour given back is an investment in the future of all Canadians," said
Nicole Boivin, Chief Branding and Communications Officer at Manulife Financial. "The fact that we surpassed our goal is a great testament to the generosity and giving nature of our citizens."

Promoted on the Get Volunteering Facebook page, Canadians were asked to pledge volunteer hours and register for a chance to win a donation for a charity of their choice. The campaign ended on
December 5th, 2012, a date recognized worldwide as the United Nation's International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development.

The draw winner was DRIVE to 125 participant
Marc-Antoine Charette. He has directed the
$10,000 donation to the Société pour les Enfants Handicapés du Québec/Quebec Society for Disabled Children.

"I was thrilled to find out I was the DRIVE to 125 winner," shared
Marc-Antoine Charette. "Manulife's donation will enable the
Quebec Society for Disabled Children's volunteers and employees to continue their important work with disabled kids and, on their behalf, let me say thank you!"

"For 85 years, no one has worked more passionately for the
Quebec Society for Disabled Children than our volunteers -the selfless people who keep us going," said
Ronald Davidson, Executive Director. "That's why we're taking up Manulife's initiative to inspire a whole new generation of volunteers like Marc-Antoine. Their contribution will help the most vulnerable in our communities reach their full potential."

Highlights from DRIVE to 125, including a breakdown of the pledged volunteer hours by category and region, can be found on the Get Volunteering Facebook page.